Civilization: A New Dawn is a board game that was released in 2017 by Fantasy Flight Games. It is based on the popular video game series, Civilization, where players lead their own civilization from the dawn of time to the modern era.
Game Components of Civilization: A New Dawn
Civilizations: 8 base civilizations (America, Aztec, Egypt, France, Japan, Rome, Scythia, Sumeria) and 10 additional civilizations in the Terra Incognita expansion (China, England, Georgia, Inca, Indonesia, Netherlands, Nubia, Ottomans, Poland, Zulu).Focus Cards: Each civilization has unique focus cards, with the Terra Incognita expansion introducing new cards like the Growth card.Districts: Specialized control markers (Campus, Theater Square, Commercial Hub, Encampment) that provide different benefits.Map Tiles: Randomly drawn core tiles and player capital tiles for map setup.Control Tokens: Used for expanding territory, claiming resources, and fortifying defenses.Victory Cards: Detailing various agendas for winning the game.
How To Setup Civilization: A New Dawn
Setup involves creating a semi-random map by drawing core tiles and placing each player’s capital tile next to them. Players then formulate their plans based on victory cards drawn during setup. The Terra Incognita expansion introduces an exploration system where players expand their empire by sending units to the edge of their capital tile and drawing new map tiles.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Turn Structure: Players choose a Focus card and execute its effect, then move the card to the left-most position, pushing other cards rightwards.Focus Row: A key mechanic where cards are placed based on terrain type and slot number, influencing the effect’s intensity.Victory Conditions: Players must complete one agenda on each of the three (or four in epic games) victory cards to win. Examples include establishing 8 cities, reaching a certain tech level, controlling military World Wonders, or controlling spaces adjacent to water or the map edge.Exploration: Players explore beyond their capital tile by sending units and drawing new map tiles.Military Interaction: Players can attack other players or forts to gain new cities and fulfill victory conditions.
Player Experience
Players embody historical civilizations, racing to fulfill various agendas while managing resources, technology, and military power. The game offers deep strategy through the selection of Focus cards and the development of districts, which allow for specialized city development and powerful combinations. The Terra Incognita expansion enhances military aspects and exploration, making the game more dynamic and interactive.
Pros
Simplified yet Deep Strategy: Streamlined gameplay compared to its predecessor while maintaining detailed and interesting mechanics.High Replayability: Randomized objectives and map setup ensure no two games are the same.Enhanced Military and Exploration: The Terra Incognita expansion adds more interaction and strategic depth.Unique Civilizations: Each civilization has distinct powers and focus cards, promoting diverse playing styles.
Cons
Too Streamlined: Some reviews suggest the game may have cut too many features from the video game version.Organization Issues: The game components can be cumbersome to organize, especially with the new expansion.Thematic Criticisms: Some features, like the fort battles, may feel thematically inconsistent.
Personal Thoughts on Civilization: A New Dawn
**Civilization: A New Dawn** is ideal for fans of the Civilization video game series and strategy board game enthusiasts. It offers a fast-paced and approachable experience with deep strategic elements. The game is suitable for players aged 14 and above who enjoy building and managing their own civilizations. While it simplifies some aspects of the video game, it maintains the core essence of the Civilization series, making it a great addition to any board game collection.
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